UC-NRLF 


•*•*•  n»      2: 

^•n  Cd*«B 
IJtj 


CASE 


/- 
REPORT 


OF    THE 


CONDITION 


OF    THE 


CHIPPEWAS  OF  MINNESOTA, 


BY    C.    A..    RTJFFEE. 


JANUARY,    1875. 


SAINT  PAUL: 
PIONEER   COMPANY    PRINT. 

1875. 


/ 


STATE  OF  MINNESOTA,  ^ 

EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT, 

ST.  PAUL,  MAY  21st,  1874.  ) 

CHARLES  A.  RUFFEE,  ESQ, 

Brainerd,  Minn. 

Under  a  concurrent  resolution  of  the  Legislature  of  this 
State,  adopted  at  the  last  session,  the  Governor  was  re 
quested  to  take  action  in  the  manner  therein  indicated,  in 
regard  to  the  Chippewa  Indians,  etc. 

Knowing  your  intimate  acquaintance  with  that  tribe  and 
the  high  regard  and  confidence  in  which  they  hold  you,  I 
request  that  you  will  undertake  to  make  the  inquiries  in 
dicated. 

You  will  please  embrace  in  your  inquiries  the  following 
topics : 

First:     What  is  their  present  condition  ? 

Second:  Have  the  treaty  stipulations  been  observed 
by  the  United  States  ?  If  not,  state  in  what  particulars. 
Under  this  head  I  particularly  wish  to  be  informed  whether 
the  moneys  which  these  treaties  promise  for  the  purpose 
of  breaking  land,  furnishing  seed  and  agricultural  imple 
ments,  building  houses  and  generally  to  put  in  their  hands 
any  instrumentalities  which  may  facilitate  their  acquire 
ment  of  the  habits  of  civilization,  have  been  faithfully 
expended.  If  not,  state  in  detail  any  delinquincy  in  any 
respect — giving  full  information. 

M218831 


REPORT   OF    THE    CONDITION 


Third:  What  grievances,  if  any.  exist  and  whether 
they  will  in  your  judgment  result  in  any  disturbance  ? 
Under  this  head  you  are  particularly  instructed  to  inform 
me  respecting  the  contracts  which  are  said  to  have  been 
made  concerning  the  timber  on  the  reservations,  giving 
me  the  version  of  the  Indians  as  to  these  transactions. 

Fourth:  Your  own  views  derived  from  your  inquiries 
as  to  the  legislation  necessary  to  aid  and  encourage  them 
in  adopting  the  habits  and  industries  of  civilization  with  a 
view  to  their  remaining  inhabitants  and  ultimately  becom 
ing  citizens  of  this  State. 

In  general  you  will  inquire  and  report  on  all  topics 
fairly  within  the  scope  of  the  annexed  resolution. 

There  is  a  further  duty  which  I  wisli  you  to  undertake 
in  the  same  connection.  It  is  to  use  your  influence  to 
prevent  the  acts  of  personal  violence  and  depredations 
upon  property,  which  in  times  past  have  cost  the  State 
thousands  of  dollars  in  rewards,  expenses  of  arrest  and 
prosecution,  (often  fruitless)  military  expeditions,  special 
agents  for  temporary  purposes,  etc. 

I  am  satisfied  that  these  can  be  prevented  by  the  friendly 
interposition  and  council  of  someone  in  whom  the  Indians 
have  confidence. 

You  will,  of  course,  be  careful  to  respect  the  laws  of  the 
United  States  in  regard  to  "talks"  or  council  with  these 
people — in  the  sense  in  which  they  are  prohibited  by  those 
laws. 

You  will  make  full  report  to  me  by  December  1st,  1874. 

Your  reasonable  expenses  and  a  reasonable  compensa 
tion  for  your  services  will  be  paid  by  the  State.  For  this, 
you  will  have  to  wait  until  the  next  session,  as  the  Legis 
lature  did  not  last  winter  place  any  funds  at  my  disposal 
for  these  purposes. 

You  are  not  authorized  to  employ  any  assistants  except 
by  special  instructions  from  this  department. 

0.  K.  DAVIS, 

Governor. 


OF   THE   CHIPPEWAS   OF   MINNESOTA.  5 

Mr.  Ward  offered  the  following  concurrent  resolution : 

Resolved,  By  the  Senate  (the  House  concurring) :  That 
His  Excellency  the  Governor  of  Minnesota  be  and  is  here 
by  requested  to  make  or  cause  to  be  made  an  enquiry  in 
to  the  condition  of  the  several  bands  of  Ohippewa  Indians 
of  Minnesota,  to  the  end  that  he  may  recommend  to  the 
Legislature  at  its  next  session  such  Legislation  as  shall  ap 
pear  requisite  or  desirable  for  the  aid  and  encouragement 
of  these  Indians,  in  adopting  the  industries  and  habits  of 
civilization,  with  a  view  to  their  remaining  as  inhabitants 
and  ultimately  becoming  citizens  of  the  State. 

That  the  Governor  be  also  requested  to  inquire  into  what 
extent  the  white  settlers,  living  on  the  frontier  adjoining  the 
reservations  of  the  different  bands  of  Chippewa  and  Sioux 
Indians,  are  endangered  by  the  encroachment  of  said  bands 
upon  the  settlements  of  this  State,  by  reason  of  the  pre 
sent  state  of  affairs  among  said  Indians,  and  report  at  an 
early  day  of  this  session. 

To  His  Excellency  G.  K.  Davis,   Governor  of  Minnesota. 

In  compliance  with  the  instructions  accompanying  your 
letter  of  date  May  21st,  1874,  requesting  me  to  ascertain 
and  report  concerning  the  condition  of  the  Ohippewa  In 
dians  of  Minnesota,  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  follow 
ing  as  the  result  of  the  inquiries  made  by  me  in  that  re 
gard: 

The  several  subjects  of  inquiry  to  which  my  attention 
was  especially  directed  by  those  instructions,  embraced 
matters  vitally  important  to  the  Indian,  and  of  grave  mo 
ment  to  the  State,  and  I  have  endeavored  to  obtain  such 
facts  as  will  enable  you  to  form  a  correct  opinion  of  the 
present  condition  of  their  relation  to  the  Commonwealth. 
These  several  matters  are  herein  referred  to  separately  as 
indicated  in  my  instructions,  viz  : 


6  REPORT    OF    THE   CONDITION 

FIRST. 
"  What  is  their  present  condition  ?  " 

The  total  number  of  Chippewa  Indians  within  this  State 
comprises  about  12,000,  located  as  follows  :  About  6,000 
upon  Lake  Superior  and  waters  tributary  thereto.  Upon 
the  Mississippi  and  its  tributaries  4,000,  and  in  Red  River 
Valley  2,000.  The  Territory  set  apart  by  Treaty  between 
the  United  States  and  Chippewa  Indians  as  Reservations, 
comprises  about  16,000  square  miles,  and  located  in  the 
counties  of  Lake,  St.  Louis,  Carlton,  Mille  Lacs,  (J.ass, 
Becker,  Pembina,  Polk  and  Beltrami. 

Nine-tenths  of  this  area  is  densely  timbered  with  Pine, 
Maple,  Oak,  Birch  and  Aspen,  and  other  kinds  of  wood 
found  in  that  latitude.  The  soil  may  be  generally  charac 
terized  as  a  sandy  loam,  with  clay  or  gravel  sub  soil,  ex 
cept  a  part  of  the  White  Earth  and  Red  Lake  Reservations, 
which  is  a  rich  loam  and  capable  of  producing  an  abundant 
growth  of  vegetables  and  cereals. 

The  Indians  upon  these  several  reservations,  with  the 
exception  of  those  at  White  Earth,  live  in  wigwams,  con 
structed  in  the  primitive  manner  so  well  known,  affording 
but  poor  protection  from  the  elements,  and  none  of  the 
conveniencies  essential  to  a  civilized  life,  and  are  clad 
only  with  the  blanket  and  breech-clout,  and  with  the  ex 
ception  above  noted,  I  am  unable  to  find  any  evidence  of 
an  improved  condition  with  these  Indians  of  a  social, 
moral  or  industrial  character,  over  that  existing  twenty 
years  ago.  They  depend  entirely  upon  such  annuities  as 
they  receive  from  the  general  government  and  upon  the 
game  and  fish  which  abound  upon  and  near  their  reserva 
tions  for  their  subsistence,  while  labor  or  the  products  of 
systematic  industry  forms  no  part  of  their  reliance  for  the 
maintenance  of  themselves. 

That  this  condition  cannot  be  changed  for  the  better,  or 
that  these  Indians  are  incapable  of  improvement,  cannot 
be  maintained,  for  upon  the  White  Earth  reservation  are 


OF  THE  CHIPPEWAS  OF  MINNESOTA.  7 

found  several  hundred,  who  six  years  ago  were  as  repul 
sive  in  all  their  habits  and  characteristics,  and  apparently 
as  intractable  as  any  in  the  State,  but  who  now  live  in  com 
fortable  dwellings  ;  are  clad  in  the  habits  of  their  civilized 
neighbors  ;  own,  possess  and  care  for  personal  property ; 
successfully  cultivate  with  their  own  labor  large  tracts, 
and  produce  by  their  own  industry  sufficient  to  supply 
themselves  with  most  of  the  necessities  of  civilized  life. 

When  it  is  remembered  that  the  Indians  upon  Leech 
Lake,  Mille  Lac  and  White  Oak  Point  reservations  are,  and 
long  have  been,  nominally  the  recipients  of  the  same  care 
and  beneficiaries  under  similar  treaties  with  those  now 
upon  White  Earth  reservation,  the  contrast  in  their  pre 
sent  condition  seems  inexplicable  to  those  wanting  the  op 
portunity  of  personal  observation,  and  the  reason  therefor 
must  be  sought  in  other  sources  than  the  wisdom  of  exist 
ing  laws  or  their  judicious  administration. 

That  similar  beneficent  results  would  follow,  were  the 
same  or  similar  means  used  for  the  reformation  of  the 
Indians  outside  the  White  Earth  Reservation,  as  has  been 
so  effective  with  them,  there  seems  no  good  reason  to 
doubt ;  and  it  must  be  confessed  that  the  progress  made 
by  the  Indians  upon  the  White  Earth  Reservation  is 
atributable  to  the  wise  counsels  and  kindly  interest  practi 
cally  manifested  by  benevolent  and  Christian  associations, 
to  and  for  them,  rather  than  to  the  fidelity  with  which  the 
government  has  executed  its  self  imposed  trusts  through 
its  chosen  agents.  This  is  apparent  from  the  fact 
that  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  their  moral  or  material 
welfare,  these  Indians  invariably  seek  counsel  of  the 
representatives  of  those  individuals  and  associations  who 
have  by  their  acts  demonstrated  their  disinterested  friend 
ship  for  and  good  will  toward  them,  and  by  the  earnest 
efforts  they  make  to  profit  by  the  counsels  so  considerately 
given,  while  no  practical  benefits  can  be  found  resulting 
from  long  years  of  official  intercourse. 

While  at  White  Earth  a  laudable  interest  is  manifested 
by  the  Indians  to  obtain  for  their  children  the  benefits  of 


8  REPORT    OF    THE    CONDITION 

schools,  upon  the  other  Reservations  no  disposition  to  avail 
themselves  of  the  provision  made  by  the  government  for 
education  is  exhibited.  Among  the  former  the  rights  of 
property  is  generally  respected,  and  with  the  latter  little 
or  no  ambition  to  acquire  it  for  themselves  by  any  legiti 
mate  means,  or  respect  its  ownership  if  found  within  their 
reach. 

The  moral  sentiment  of  the  Indians,  uninstructed  by  the 
light  of  civilization,  is  of  a  low  standard,  and  little  or  no 
improvement  is  observable  in  that  regard  among  the  In 
dians  upon  the  several  Reservations,  except  those  at  White 
Earth,  and  their  intercourse  with  the  white  race  since  they 
became  pensioners  upon  the  Government  seems  to  have 
satisfied  them  but  little,  unless  the  contact  has  impressed 
them  with  a  wholesome  fear  of  the  white  man's  power  and 
superiority,  and  so  restrained  them  in  some  degree  from  the 
full  exercise  of  their  savage  and  barbarous  instincts;  but 
in  no  manner  are  they  better  prepared  for  the  duties  and 
responsibilities  of  citizenship  than  before  they  shared  the 
bounties  of  the  Government. 

They  possess  neither  dwellings,  clothing,  household  fur 
niture,  food  or  implements  of  labor;  they  live  in  wigwams 
resting  upon  the  naked  earth,  dependent  upon  such  game 
as  they  may  chance  to  procure,  for  their  sustenance,  mak 
ing  no  provision  for  the  future.  Covered  with  filthy 
blankets,  or  destitute  of  all  clothing,  indolent  and  indiffer 
ent  to  their  own  condition,  hopeful  only  that  the  Great 
Father  will  increase  their  annuities.  Such  is  the  present 
condition  of  at  least  10,000  of  the  12,000  Indians  in  this 
State,  the  exceptions  being  those  already  mentioned  upon 
the  White  Earth  Reservation,  and  some  members  of  the 
Red  Lake  Bands. 


OP   THE   CHIPPEWAS   OF   MINNESOTA.  ^        9 

* 


SECOND. 

"Have  the  treaty  stipulations  been  observed  by  the 
United  States  ?  If  not  state  in  what  particulars.  Under 
this  head  I  particularly  wish  to  be  informed  whether  the 
money  which  these  treaties  promise  for  the  purpose  of 
breaking  lands,  furnishing  seed  and  agricultural  imple 
ments,  building  houses,  and  generally  to  put  in  their  hands 
any  instrumentalities  which  may  facilitate  their  acquire 
ment  of  the  habits  of  civilization,  have  been  faithfully  ex 
pended.  If  not  state  in  detail  any  delinquency  in  any  re 
spect — giving  full  information.1' 

I  have  been  unable  to  find  any  satisfactory  data  from 
which  to  obtain  the  facts,  necessary  to  a  full  answer  to  the 
queries  submitted  in  this  instruction. 

On  application  to  the  persons  in  charge  at  the  several 
agencies  I  was  informed  that  no  records,  vouchers  or  ac 
counts  were  kept  at  these  agencies  showing  the  disburse 
ments  made  under  the  several  treaties,  nor  the  manner  or 
extent  which  the  government  had  performed  or  discharged 
its  undertakings  toward  these  Indians  provided  for  by 
treaty !  That  each  agent  or  person  loyally  representing 
the  government,  upon  leaving  his  position,  took  with  him 
all  matters  pertaining  to  his  administration;  that  the 
several  accounts  were  none  of  them  examined  or  audited 
at  the  local  agency,  but  were  kept  and  adjusted  exclusive 
ly  at  the  Department  at  Washington ;  hence  it  was  im 
possible  for  me,  with  the  limited  time  allowed,  to  make 
that  critical  examination  of  the  records  and  accounts  at 
Washington  necessary  to  determine  whether  treaty  stipula 
tions  had  been  faithfully  kept  and  observed ;  and  my  only 
available  source  of  information  was  that  of  personal  ob 
servation  and  the  statement  of  persons  presumed  to  have 
knowledge  of  those  matters;  and  to  that  end  I  have  con 
sulted  different  persons  whose  statements  I  deemed  re- 
2 


10  REPORT    OF    THE    CONDITION 

| 

liable,  and  whose  opportunity  for  information  I  deemed 
such  as  to  render  their  knowledge  important. 

There  are  large  numbers  of  mixed  bloods  connected  by 
blood  with  the  Indians,  who  were  a  party  to  the  Treaty  of 
May  7, 1864.  A  majority  of  these  mixed  bloods  reside  upon 
the  Reservations. 

Article  11,  of  said  Treaty,  provides  that  "  Whenever  the 
"  services  of  laborers  are  required  upon  the  Reservation, 
"  preference  should  be  given  to  full  or  mixed  bloods,  if 
"  they  shall  be  found  competent  to  perform  them." 

These  mixed  bloods  are  poor  and  entirely  dependent 
upon  their  physical  labor  for  the  support  of  themselves 
and  families ;  are  able  bodied  and  competent  to  perform 
all  the  services  ordinarily  required  of  laborers,  and  mani 
fest  a  willingness  to  work  whenever  they  can.  They  gen 
erally  assert  that  employment  under  the  provisions  of  the 
Treaty  above  cited,  is  denied  them  ;  that  white  laborers 
are  employed  to  their  exclusion,  and  I  am  satisfied  that 
the  Treaty  has  heretofore  been  almost  wholly  disregarded 
in  that  respect. 

It  will  readily  occur  to  you  that  not  only  would  its 
observance  be  beneficial  to  the  mixed  bloods  in  affording 
them  employment  and  remuneration,  but  also  that  it  is  of 
vital  importance  when  it  is  considered  that  this  class  of 
people  are,  by  the,  usages  of  society,  isolated  and  excluded 
from  most  opportunities  of  employment  so  accessible  to 
the  white  laborer. 

From  the  best  information  within  rny  reach  1  find,  that 
during  the  six  years  last  past,  there  has  been  appropriated 
by  the  United  States,  and  reported  by  its  agents  as  ex- 
pendeded  for  the  Indians  located  upon  the  Mille  Lacs, 
White  Oak  Point,  Leech  Lake,  Red  Lake  and  White  Earth 
Reservations,  the  several  total  sums  following,  to-wit : 

For  dwelling  houses,  about,  $11,000 

For  breaking  and  clearing  land,  about,  58,500 

For  Agricultural  Implements,  about,  5,000 

For  Cattle,  about,  14,000 

For  Roads  and  Bridges,  about,  18,500 

For  Schools,  about,  50,000 


OF    THE    CHIPPEWAS    OF    MINNESOTA.       f  11 

Making  the  total  amount  nominally  expended  upon  these 
Reservations  in  the  six  years  for  the  purposes  above  speci 
fied,  $157,000. 

During  this  time  there  has  been  constructed  for  the  In 
dians  upon  these  several  Reservations  by  the  United.  States 
twenty-four  log  houses,  which  competent  mechanics  esti 
mated  cost  at  the  time  they  were  built  $200  each  ;  in  this 
time  there  has  been  cleared  and  broken  300  acres  of  land, 
prairie,  at  an  actual  cost  of  $2500  ;  the  value  of  Agricul 
tural  Implements  furnished  by  the  United  States  to  the 
Indians,  I  am  unable  to  ascertain  ;  nor  the  number  or  value 
of  cattle  supplied. 

There  has  been  constructed  MO  miles  of  Road  at  an  ac 
tual  cost  of  $18.500,  including  Bridges. 

There  has  been  annually  employed  two  or  more  teach 
ers  engaged  in  superintending  the  schools  upon  the  Reser 
vations  ;  the  amount  actually  disbursed  for  this  purpose  I 
cannot  ascertain. 

This  department  of  my  inquiries  has  been,  for  the  reas 
ons  indicated,  a  difficult  one  to  determine,  and  the  results 
of  my  labors  in  that  regard  are  not  satisfactory  to  myself; 
but  I  could  not  do  more  without  access  to  and  examination 
of  official  records  beyond  my  reach. 


12  ,  REPORT    OF    THE    CONDITION 


THIRD. 

aWhat  grievances,  if  any,  exist  and  whether  they  will  in 
your  judgment  result  in  any  disturbance  ?  Under  this 
head  you  are  particularly  instructed  to  inform  me  respect 
ing  the  contracts  which  are  said  to  have  been  made  con 
cerning  the  timber  on  the  reservations,  giving  me  the  ver 
sion  of  the  Indians  as  to  these  transactions." 

To  justly  determine  "what  grievances  exist"  among  these 
Indians  is  a  grave  matter,  and  one  upon  which  good  men, 
long  familiar  with  them,  would  seriously  differ.  The  In 
dian  is  ever  disposed  to  complain,  and  often  times  without 
cause. 

Why  these  Indians,  who  have  been  the  proteges  of  the 
Government  for  a  score  of  years,  and  have  been  the  recip 
ients  of  liberal  bounties,  in  grants  and  annuities,  have  been 
the  special  objects  of  missionary  and  philanthropic  efforts, 
have  been  tutored  in  the  elements  of  civilization  by  ex 
perts  chosen  therefore,  and  have  been  largely  in  contact 
with  their  civilized  white  neighbors,  should  still  remain  the 
savage,  ignorant,  filthy  and  degraded  beings  they  were 
before  these  opportunities  for  improvement  were  afforded 
them,  is  a  question  difficult  to  answer. 

After  a  careful  consideration  of  the  matter,  aided  by 
several  years  observation  and  a  personal  acquaintance 
with  the  intercourse  of  the  Government  and  the  Indians, 
I  believe  much  force  should  be  allowed  to  the  general 
accusation  made  by  the  Indians  of  a  want  of  fidelity  on  the 
part  of  those  who  have  represented  the  Government  in  the 
discharge  of  their  trusts.  It  is  claimed  with  great  unan 
imity  by  all  the  Indians  upon  and  west  of  the  Mississippi 
river,  that  the  Treaty  undertakings  have  not  been  ob 
served  by  the  Government;  that  the  money  appropriated 
had  not  been  properly  applied;  that  the  annuity  goods 
and  provisions  have  been  deficient  in  quantity,  and  defec 
tive  in  quality ;  that  buildings  have  not  been  erected 


OF   THE    CHIPPEWAS   OP    MINNESOTA.  13 

either  in  number  or  character  as  promised;  that  land  has 
not  been  prepared  for  cultivation  as  agreed  ;  that  seed  and 
agricultural  implements  have  not  been  furnished  ;  that 
much  of  their  substance  is  consumed,  and  their  money  ex 
pended  in  supporting  white  persons  upon  their  reservations, 
nominally  employees  for  the  performance  of  duties  they 
could,  and  gladly  would  discharge,  and  that  large  sums  of 
money  set  apart  by  Treaty  for  their  use  and  benefit  has 
never  been  applied  in  any  manner  to  the  promotion  of 
their  interest,  but  has  been  stolen  or  misappropriated  by 
the  Agents  of  the  United  States. 

They  also  complain  of  the  fact  that  they  are  never  in 
formed  or  allowed  by  the  agents  to  know  how  and  for  what 
purpose  their  money  is  disbursed. 

It  cannot  be  denied  that  many  of  these  complaints,  if 
not  all,  are  well  founded,  and  that  these  Indians  have  long 
been  despoiled  of  their  legitimate  rights  by  those  whose 
duty  it  was  especially  to  protect  them  ;  and  they  have  be 
come  so  imbued  with  the  conviction  that  they  are  regard 
ed  only  as  objects  of  prey,  that  they  look  with  suspicion 
upon  all  official  propositions  affecting  their  welfare,  fear 
ful  lest  they  may  be  again  victimized,  and  their  condi 
tion  become  more  helpless  and  unendurable. 

This  spirit  and  feeling  of  distrust  has  been  harbored 
until,  instead  of  looking  upon  the  Government  as  a  bene 
factor  and  friend,  they  have  come  to  regard  it  rather  as 
hostile  to  their  interest,  and  seeking  to  take  advantage  of 
their  helplessness  and  necessities  ;  so  that  there  exists  no 
feeling  of  confidence  and  trust  between  the  Indians  and 
Agents. 

A  fair  exposition  of  this  feeling  among  the  Indians  is 
expressed  in  a  speech  made  by  the  Chief  Wab-bon-o-quet, 
to  Inspector  Daniels,  at  the  White  Earth  Reservation, 
May,  1874,  a  copy  of  which  is  hereto  attached  and  marked 
Exhibit  "A,"  and  which  was  fully  discussed  and  approved 
by  the  chiefs  and  head  men  of  the  nation  in  council,  be 
fore  it  was  delivered,  and  is  an  authorized  statement  of 
their  grievances,  upon  the  matters  therein  referred  to. 


14  REPORT   OF   THE   CONDITION 

As  I  have  heretofore  intimated,  another  cause   of  com- 
plaint  which   I   believe    to  be  well  founded,  is,  that  the 
United  States   agents  neglect  and  refuse  to  employ    as 
laborers   those   persons   connected   with    the  Indians    by 
blood,  as  stipulated  in  the  Treaty.     Nearly  all  the  manual 
labor  performed  upon  the  Reservations  requires  but  1: 
skill,  and  could  be  as  well  done  by  the  mixed  bloods  as  by 
the  white  men  employed  for   that  purpose,  and 
paid  from  the  funds  of  these  Indians. 

This  refusal  of  employment  tends   to  discourage 
people  and  deprive  them  of  the  only  source   of  earning 
livelihood  within   their   reach,    as    well    as  to   tax    them 
with  an  unnecessary  expense;  leaving  them  in  their  id! 
ness  to  acquire  habits  of  vice  and  intemperance,  and 
become  an  element  of  discord  and  reproach. 

It  is  also  charged  directly,  and  I  believe  it  susceptible 
of  proof,  that  several   of  the   buildings  upon  the  White 
Earth  Reservation,  built  partly  with  the  labor  of   nuxed- 
bloods,   and   partly    with   public  funds,  for  the    use  and 
occupancy  of  the  raixed-bloods  who  mainly  built  them, 
were,  by  a   late  agent,  now  holding  a  high  position  un 
der  the    government,  charged  to  the   persons   who  buili 
them    and   pay   demanded  therefor  by   the  agent ;    that 
bein"  without  money  with  which  to  satisfy  the  demand, 
these"  mixed-bloods,    upon    the    urgent    request    of    the 
agent,  delivered  to  him  in  payment  of  their   houses,  i 
Lake 'Half-Breed  scrip,  issued  to   them  under  the  Treaty 
of  April  12th,  1864.     The  Indians  further   complain  that 
goods   and   provisions  which,   by   the   Treaties,  belonged 
to  them,  have    been  made  subjects  of  traffic  by  some  of 
the  agents,  and  they  required    to    pay  exorbitant  prices 
for  what  was  their  own  without  price,  thus  not  only  rob 
bing  them,  but  making  them  pay  for  the  theft. 

It  has  been  the  practice  during  the  last  year  for  the 
local  agents,  under  instructions  from  the  present  Commis 
sioner  of  Indian  Affairs,  to  withhold  a  portion  of  the  money 
due  the  Indians  as  a  part  of  their  annuities  under  their 
Treaties,  and  expend  the  amount  so  withheld  for  such  pur- 


OF   THE   CHIPPEWAS   OF   MINNESOTA.  15 

poses  as  the  agent  in  charge  may  deem  to  the  interest  of 
the  Indians,  and  this,  too,  without  consulting  or  advising 
with  them. 

The  Indians  complain  that  by  the  conditions  of  the 
Treaties  they  are  entitled  to  a  specific  sum  in  money, 
and  that  the  agent  has  no  right,  without  their  consent,  to 
appropaiate  or  dispose  of  this  money  otherwise  than  in  the 
manner  required  by  the  Treaty ;  and  tha/,  the  investment 
of  this  money  by  the  agent  is  an  unauthorized  assumption, 
and  to  their  prejudice;  that  they  should  be  allowed  to  at 
least  direct  how  their  money  should  be  expended,  and  be 
permitted  to  share  the  profits  of  the  investment,  if  deprived 
of  the  use  of  the  principal. 

In  the  matter  of  the  so  called  "Pine  Contracts"  I  have 
made  diligent  inquiry,  and  have  personally  conversed  with 
the  head  chiefs  representing  the  Indians  interested,  con 
cerning  the  matter;  and  without  exception  they  assert  they 
were  never  consulted  in  regard  to  the  contracts;  that  they 
never  consented  thereto,  and  never  directly  or  indirectly 
authorized  any  person  or  persons  to  represent  them  in  any 
way  or  manner ;  and  they  all  protest  if  such  contracts 
exist,  they  are  no  party  to  them,  but  that  it  is  an  attempt 
to  further  rob  them  of  what  they  deem  to  be  their  own 
property. 

I  need  not  state  that  the  Indians  are  jealous  of  what 
they  conceive  to  be  their  rights ;  that  within  this  State  there 
is  little  left  them  of  available  value  except  the  pine  forests 
growing  upon  their  reservations ;  that  they  have  been  led 
to  believe  that  this  could  not  be  taken  from  them  without 
their  consent ;  that  they  believe  they  have  a  right  to  be 
heard  in  the  matter,  and  that  to  take  possession. of  their 
forests  without  their  consent,  they  consider  a  violation  of 
the  obligations  of  tljye  Government  on  the  one  part,  and  a 
demonstration  of  their  belief  that  the  Government  no 
fonger  seeks  or  desires  to  protect  them  in  the  possession  of 
that  which  has,  by  solemn  Treaty,  been  set  apart  for  their 
use  and  benefit. 

The   amount   of  pine  timber  included  in  the  so-called 


16  REPORT    OF    THE    CONDITION 

Wilder  contract,  as  estimated  by  persons  who   have   ex 
amined  it,  and  are  competent  to  judge,  exceeds  1,000,000,00 
feet      It  is  located  upon  the  Leech  Lake  Reservation,  upon 
waters   tributary  to  the  Mississippi  River,  and  comprises 
the  largest  body  of  pine  timber  within  the  State.. 

No  transaction  in  a  long  series  of  years   has  elicited  so 
much  feeling,  and  engendered  so  much  ill  will  toward  the 
Government  as  the  pine   contracts,  (and  it  is  well  known 
to  you  that  on  several  occasions   violent  and  serious 
culty  in  consequence  thereof  has  only  been  averted  by  t 
prudent   interposition  of  persons    disconnected   with 
Government,  for  whose  counsel  the  Indians  had  more 
an  ordinary  respect),  and  at  the  present  time  this  matt 
forms  a  leading  topic  in   all   their  counsels,  and  is  prolific 
of  earnest  discussion  and   angry   feeling.     Whatever  the 
legal  rights  of  the  Indians  may  be  in  the  premises,  they 
feel  that  a   great  wrong   has   been  done   them,  which  the 
Government  tacitly  approves  and  refuses  to  redress. 

Could  a  satisfactory  explanation  of  this  matters  be  made 
to  these  Indians,  one  of  the  greatest  causes  of  present  com 
plaint  would  be  removed;   for  they  look  upon  this  as  a 
wholesale  swindle,  compared  with  which  other  official 
elections  are  mere  peccadillos. 

You  will  see  from  what  I  have  stated  that  the  Indians 
disclaim  all  knowledge  of  the    contracts,  until  after  they 
were  alleged  to  have  been  consumated  ;  and  I  believe  such 
to  be  the  fact ;  and  what  I  have  stated  of  the  «  Wilder  Con 
tracts  "  of  Leech  Lake,  so  far  as  the  views  of  the  Indian 
are  affected,  is  true  of  the  contracts  for  the  pine  upon  the 
Red  Lake  ReBervation;  though  a  less  number  of  Indians 
claim  to  be  interested  in  the  latter  than  in  the  former,  am 
less  general   excitement   results  in   consequence 
while  the  dissatisfaction  is  equally  gre*t  and  the  opposi 
equally  determined. 

In  my  judgment  this  feeling  of  injury  should  be  appeal 
ed  by  candid  and  full  explanation  to  the  Indians  of  the 
entire  transaction,  and  such  amend8  be  made  as  equity  and 
fair  dealing  demand;  believing,  as  I  do  that  such  a  course 


OF    THE    CHIPPEWAS   OF    MINNESOTA.  17 

Would  tend  to  quell  the  turbulent  spirit  now  so  dominant, 
and  greatly  pacify  the  irritation  resulting  from  this  real 
or  imagined  wrong,  and  peaceably  avert  impending  trou 
ble. 

If  this  is  not  done,  and  no  violence  is  committed  in  con 
sequence,  it  will  be  rather  through  a  fear  of  the  greater 
evils  in  the  power  of  the  government  to  inflict  upon  them, 
than  because  they  do  not  deem  the  provocation  sufficient. 


FOUKTH. 

"Your  own  views,  derived  from  your  inquiries,  as  to  the 
legislation  necessary  to  aid  and  encourage  them  in  adopt 
ing  the  habits  and  industries  of  civilization,  with  a  view  to 
their  remaining  inhabitants  and  ultimately  becoming  citi 
zens  of  this  State." 

"In  general  you  will  enquire  and  report  on  all  topics  fair- 
ly  within  the  scope  of  the  annexed  resolution." 

The  moral  and  material  welfare  of  these  Indians  is,  and 
so  long  as  they  occupy  so  large  a  tract  of  territory  will 
continue  to  be,  of  grave  moment  to  the  State,  aside  from 
all  philanthropic  considerations ;  for  12,000  indigent  peo 
ple  in  the  midst  of  any  community  is  a  serious  incum- 
brance,  and  few  questions  of  more  importance  can  be  sug 
gested,  than  that  of  how  to  devise  means  and  measures  for 
the  amelioration  of  their  condition,  so  that  their  presence 
among  us  will  be  productive  of  general  good  instead  of  a 
source  of  increasing  evil. 

If  the  Indians  are  to  remain  within  the  State,  most  cer 
tainly  their  future  welfare  is  largely  identified  with  the 
citizen,  and  whatever  tends  to  promote  antagonisms  and 
cause  ill-will  between  the  races,  is  prejudicial  alike  to 
both ;  so  that  it  would  seem  that  any  measures  tending  to 
facilitate  the  civilization  of  the  Indian  on  the  one  part,  and 
3- 


18  REPORT   OF    THE    CONDITION 

to  enlist  a  kindly  interest  in  his  well-being  upon  the  other, 
should  receive  the  approbation  of  all  good  citizens. 

It  cannot  be  denied  that  the  present  policy  pursued  by 
the  general  government  toward  these  Indians,  effectually 
teaches  them  dependence  rather  than  self-reliance,  and 
impresses  them  with  the  idea  that  they  are  regarded  as 
unworthy  of  the  confidence  of  their  white  neighbors,  and 
incapable  of  forming  or  exercising  an  opinion  concerning 
their  own  aifairs  ;  while  it  has  been  practically  demonstra 
ted  that,  under  the  the  patronage  and  with  the  aid  of 
counsel  adapted  to  their  condition,  these  same  Indians  are 
capable  of  acquiring  habits  of  industry  and  a  knowledge 
of  and  ability  to  discharge  the  duties  of  citizens. 

This  may  be  seen  to-day  upon  the  White  Earth  Reser 
vation,  among  those  Indians  who  have  been  permitted  to 
act,  to  a  great  degree,  under  the  guidance  of  Bishop  Whip- 
pie  ;  and  I  can  conceive  no  reason  why,  what  has  been 
productive  of  so  much  good  in  the  case  of  these  few, 
should  not  be  equally  effective  with  all. 

Subject  any  class  to  arbitrary  measures,  imposed  by 
strangers  ;  exclude  them  from  all  voice  in  the  administra 
tion  of  their  own  affairs ;  assume  that  they  are  rogues  and 
vagabonds,  and  treat  them  as  such ;  deprive  them  of  all 
opportunity  of  self-culture  or  independent  action,  and  sub 
ject  them  to  the  varying  whims  of  some  political  partisan 
or  conceited  bigot,  whose  only  zeal  is  to  promote  that  of 
his  patron  or  increase  the  perquisites  of  his  office,  and  re 
fuse  them  all  means  of  legal  redress,  and  the  effect  will  be 
found  well  illustrated  in  the  present  condition  of  the  great 
majority  of  the  annuity  Indians  in  this  State. 

What  legislation  will  remedy  existing  evils,  and  tend  to 
aid  and  encourage  these  Indians  in  adopting  the  habits  and 
and  industries  of  civilization,  is,  to  a  great  extent,  a  mat 
ter  of  speculation,  and  concerning  which  those  who  have 
made  it  a  subject  of  special  study,  seriously  differ. 

Viewed  with  such  light  as  I  have,  I  am  of  opinion  that 
existing  laws  administered  as  they  now  are,  are  wholly  in 
adequate  to  effect  these  desirable  ends ;  that  as  a  rule  the 


OF    THE    CHIPPEWAS   OP    MINNESOTA.  19 

representatives  of  the  government  manifest  no  interest  in 
these  objects,  and  do  nothing  toward  their  accomplish 
ment 

If  it  is  practicable  to  place  these  Indians  under  the  con 
trol  of  the  authorities  of  the  State,  and  bring  them  into 
more  intimate  relations  with  the  law  making  power,  ex 
tending  by  legislative  enactments  the  protection  of  the  law, 
and  establishing  police  regulations  adapted  to  their  wants 
and  condition,  so  as  to  afford  them  the  assurance  that  they 
are  alike  protected  by  and  amenable  to  the  law,  I  believe 
it  would  be  conducive  of  much  good  ;  in  that  it  would 
make  them  the  subjects  of  legislative  care  in  common  with 
other  denizens  of  the  State  ;  would  allow  the  local  govern 
ment  to  determine  the  policy  to  be  pursued  toward  those 
within  its  territorial  limits,  and  place  in  the  power  of  those 
immediately  interested,  to  provide  by  suitable  legislation 
such  measures  as. the  necessities  of  the  case  might  demand, 
as  well  as  to  give  the  execution  of  such  measures  to  those 
who  were  locally  identified  with  the  general  welfare. 

These  Indians,  as  they  are  now  situated,  are  fully  con 
scious  of  their  isolated  condition,  and  realize  that  they  are 
ostracized  and  regarded  as  having  no  legal  rights  or  poli 
tical  status  whatever,  and  feel  little  incentive  toward  im 
provement  while  they  are  held  in  social  and  political  bon 
dage  ;  they  also,  and  I  think  with  some  reason,  consider 
themselves  esteemed  by  the  Government  as  legitimate  ob 
jects  of  spoil;  for  during  long  years  of  mal-administration, 
and  in  utter  disregard  of  their  protests  and  prayers,  not  a 
single  person  representing  the  Government  has  been  call 
ed  to  an  account,  nor  have  they  once  been  vouchsafed  a 
hearing  upon  the  subject  of  their  numerous  grievances. 
If  they  -were  objects  of  the  care  and  supervision  of  the 
State,  these  things  could  not  pass  unheeded,  for  injustice  to 
the  Indian  would  then  be  a  violation  of  a  home  obligation, 
and  public  sentiment  would  then  insist  upon  a  remedy  in 
its  own  interest. 

If  these  Indians  are  to  remain  within  the  State,  I  am  of 
Opinion  that  the  State  should  have  control  of  their  affairs, 


20  REPORT    OF    THE    CONDITION 

not  only  as  regards  their  material  interests,  but  also  their 
political  and  social  status  ;  and  so  far  as  I  can  learn  the 
Indians  themselves  desire  that  they  should  be  exclusively 
in  charge  of  the  local  government  which  they  inhabit. 

If  this  should  be  done,  it  would  doubtless  result  in  some 
mode  of  representation  through  which  the  Indians  could 
be  heard,  and  lead  to  a  better  knowledge  and  understand 
ing  of  their  wants  and  the  interest  of  the  public  in  that  re 
gard. 

I  am  of  the  further  opinion  that  these  Indians  should  be 
subject  to  one  and  the  same  general  policy  of  government, 
and  so  far  as  practicable,  should  be  concentrated  in  one 
community ;  that  no  discrimination  should  be  made  ;  that 
reasonable  requirements  should  be  insisted  upon,  and  of 
fenders  properly  punished.  In  my  judgment  the  Indians 
now  in  the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi  should  be  removed  to 
the  White  Earth  Reservation,  a  tract  well  adapted  to  their 
use,  rich  in  all  the  elements  of  agricultural  wealth,  and 
sufficiently  extensive  to  support  30,000  souls. 

Under  proper  influences  such  removal  could  be  effected 
without  serious  opposition  from  the  Indians. 

If  the  course  I  have  indicated  could  be  adopted  toward 
these  Indians,  I  am  of  opinion  their  condition  would  rap 
idly  improve  in  all  respects,  and  in  a  short  time  they  would 
become  fitted  for  the  duties  of  citizens,  for  of  their  capacity 
I  have  no  doubt ;  and  I  am  equally  positive  that  the  State 
cannot  reasonably  expect  any  advancement  so  long  as  the 
present  policy  controls  their  management. 

In  general  these  Indians  possess  an  inate  respect  for 
the  moral  virtues,  and  in  their  own  savage  code  are  found 
abundant  evidences  of  their  intuitive  perceptions  of  right 
and  wrong  as  applied  to  their  intercourse  with  each  other. 

In  their  domestic  relations  infidelity  is  rare,  and  no  peo 
ple  entertain  stronger  affection  for  their  offspring,  or  are 
more  firmly  attached  by  the  ties  of  blood  than  the  Chip- 
pewas.  In  their  relations  with  each  other  they  are  gener 
ous  and  candid,  and  fraudulent  practices  among  them  are 
unknown.  Physically  they  possess  stalwart,  hardy  frames, 
and  are  capable  of  great  endurance. 


OF   THE    CHIPPEWAS   OF    MINNESOTA.  21 

As  a  people  they  are  easily  attracted  by  the  forms  and 
ceremonies  of  Sectarian  Keligion,  and  often  times  formally 
accept  the  creed  of  some  zealous  Missionary  without  under 
standing  the  obligations  they  so  assume  ;  hence  nominal 
conversions '  to  Christianity  are  not  always  attended  with 
those  lasting  results  desired. 

If  fairly  dealt  with  I  believe  there  is  no  danger  of  vio 
lence  from  these  Indians  toward  the  white  settlers  ;  and 
most  of  the  outrages  attributed  to  them  in  the  last  few 
years,  if  ferrited  out,  will  be  found  not  to  have  originated 
altogether  with  them. 

They  feel  that  they  have  been  deeply  injured  and  out 
raged  by  the  treatment  they  have  received  from  some  of 
their  agents,  and  that  the  government  does  them  an  injus 
tice  in  refusing  to  give  their  complaints  a  hearing,  but  I 
have  been  unable  to  discover  any  general  disposition  to 
revenge  their  wrongs  upon  the  settlers.  Occasionally  some 
turbulent  spirit  among  them  threatens  to  take  summary 
vengeance,  but  the  excitement  so  created  is  ordiriarly 
quelled  by  prudent  counsel. 

For  several  years  the  Indians  upon  Leech  Lake  and 
White  Earth  Keservations  have  persistently  argued  that  a 
large  sum  of  money  was  unaccounted  for  to  them,  but 
which  was  due  under  the  Treaties,  and  the  silence  of  their 
Agents  has  confirmed  them  in  the  belief  that  they  have 
been  wilfully  defrauded. 

This  amount  is  asserted  by  them  to  exceed  the  sum  of 
$75,000,  and  if  it  has  been-  properly  expended  it  is  but  a 
simple  matter  to  show  the  fact,  and  so  set  at  rest  forever 
one  of  the  most  palpable  causes  of  complaint.  From  such 
information  as  I  have^been  able  to  obtain,  without  the  aid 
of  official  records,  I  conclude  their  claim  is  not  wholly 
unfounded. 

During  this  year  no  depredations  of  importance  have 
been  committed  by  the  Chippewas,  though  on  one  or  more 
occasions  serious  trouble  has  seemed  imminent  in  conse 
quence  of  the  dissatisfaction  felt  on  account  of  the  sale  of 
their  pine ;  and  was  only  averted  by  the  interposition  of 
citizens  whose  counsel  was  respected. 


22  REPORT    OF   THE    CONDITION 

It  has  always  been  customary  with  these  Indians  to  seek 
game  and  fur-bearing  animals  upon  territory  not  included 
in  their  reservations,  and  until  within  a  few  years,  little  or 
no  complaint  has  been   made  of  it ;  but  lately  the  settlers 
manifest   alarm  whenever  the  Indian   is   discovered  near, 
and  in  consequence  the  Indians  have  been  more  strictly 
confined  to  their  reservations,  so  that  they  are  now  seldom 
met  outside  of  {the  prescribed  limits  ;  and  whenever  I  have 
heard  of  Indians  upon   ceded  lands,   I  have  taken  oppor 
tunity  to  prevail  upon  them  to  return  home.     In  thjs  mat 
ter  the  United  States  Agents  have  been  very  watchful, 
and  done  much  in  keeping  those  inclined  to  wander  away, 
at  their  respective  agencies. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  visit  personally  this  year  the 
Indians  of  the   Lake  Superior  Agency,  and  what       have 
said  of  them    has   been   from    data   obtained   from    such 
sources  as  were  accessible,  and  from  previous  observation. 
I  desire  here   to   acknowledge   the  uniform   courtesy  1 
have  received  at  the  hands  of  all  those  officially  connected 
with  the  Indians  with  whom  I  have  come  in  contact  while 
prosecuting  my  inquiries  in  this  matter,  and  to   add  that 
the  absence  of  all  records  and  accounts  hereinbefore  re 
ferred  to,  is  not  chargeable  to  any  default  of  those  in  whose 
custody  they  might  be   presumed,  but  is   in  accordance 
with  a  recognized  usage  of  the  Indian  Department. 

In  conclusion,  permit  me  to  say  that  I  am  fully  conscious 
this  report  is  unsatisfactory  in  its   meagre  exhibits  of  6 
tistical  matter,  but  the  defect  could  not  be  supplied  with- 
out  recourse  to  data  beyond   my    reach;   that   in   other 
respects  I  have  endeavored  to  present  plain  facts  as  I  have 
obtained  them;  that  the  suggestions  that  I  have  made  are 
derived  from  my  observations,  and  much  to  the  approval  . 
others  more  competent,  perhaps,  to  properly  advise  than 

myself. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

C.  A.  EUFFEE. 
Pec.  1, 1874, 


OF   THE    CHIPPEWAS   OF    MINNESOTA.  23 

9 


EXHIBIT  "A." 

We  saw  you  yesterday  and  you  told  us  who  you  were 
and  what  was  the  object  of  your  visit.  It  was  with  pleas 
ure  your  words  were  heard  about  our  future.  I  thought 
the  day  had  come  when  a  man  was  sent  who  pitied  and 
would  listen  to  us.  I  will  now  review  the  past  and  tell 
how  the  Chippewas  have  been  treated.  I  will  go  back  to 
the  old  time.  Then  before  the  whites  came  we  were  a 
happy  people.  Since  the  whites  came  everything  has 
drifted  away  from  us,  From  the  time  we  ceded  the  first 
land  we  have  drifted  to  poverty,  starvation  and  death. 
Poverty  still  follows  us.  The  name  of  Christian  is  power 
ful,  and  there  is  nothing  our  Great  Father  cannot  do.  You 
represent  the  Great  Father,  and  we  see  in  you  all  his 
strength.  Compare  yourself  with  me.  You  have  intelli 
gence  and  learning;  what  have  I?  Nothing  except  what  I 
learn  through  my  ears  and  eyes.  When  our  Great  Father 
gets  us  together  we  cede  land — give  all  into  his  hands 
depending  on  him  to  find  us  our  provisions  and  get  us  our 
annuities.  From  the  ceding  of  lands  poverty  has  been 
chasing  us  and  is  still  chasing  us.  I  fear  that  when  the 
Great  Father  has  taken  away  everything,  then  he  will 
chastise  us  and  send  us  to  the  Bad  Lands.  This  fear  is 
a  stumbling  block  in  our  way  and  we  can  go  no  further. 
When  I  look  at  the  power  of  my  Great  Father  and  then 
look  at  our  poverty  and  the  poverty  of  our  children,  though 
the  name  of  Christian  is  powerful,  it  seems  as  if  the  power 
of  Religious  Association  could  not  drive  it  away.  Now 
vou  have  come  to  see  us  as  we  are — you  have  found  what 
you  wished.  Many  letters  have  been  written,  but  it  can 
not  be  put  in  black  and  white  as  well  as  you  can  see  with 
your  eyes,  how  our  funds  have  been  expended.  You  have 


24  REPORT    OF    THE    CONDITION 

come  just  at  the  right  time  to  see  what  must  give  us  a 
living  here  after  farming.  We  wish  you  to  have  positive 
proof  and  whatever  we  say  we  will  point  out  the  proofs. 
Mr.  Warren  was  in  Washington  with  us  when  stipula 
tions  were  made  as  to  carrying  on  the  reservation.  We 
were  told  there  would  be  $6,000  a  year  to  help  such  as 
would  work. 

What  you  told  us  yesterday  you   had  done  among   the 
Sioux  is  what  we  wanted  here  but  could  not  get,     $25,000 
was  received  for  allowing  Otter  Tail  Indians  upon  our  reser 
vation.  Have  tried  to  advise  about  spending  it.  Have  never 
been  allowed  to  counsel  about  expenditure.     Last  year  re 
ceived  $25,000  for  Pembina  tract.     We   wanted  voice  in 
disposition  of  it,  but  were  not  listened  to.    Seeing  how  our 
young  men  were  going  to  work  we  tried  to  have  a  fund  of 
$5,000  set  aside  to  help  them  or  for  an  emergency.     We 
wanted  it  put  in  the  hands   of  the   Bishop,  but  it  was   not 
allowed,  and  we  have  nothing  now.     There  are  many  of 
our  young  men  who  have   not   adopted  the  white  men's 
ways  yet,  and  we  wanted  to  advise  with  them,  and  asked 
for  a  council  house  to  meet  in,  but  could  not  get  it.     We 
want  to'  start  in  agriculture. 

We  know  what  it  is  to  be  our  own  independence.  They 
gave  us  small  cattle  and  no  plows  and  then  told  us  to  go 
to  work.  Last  fall  there  was  much  grain  sold.  Our  cattle 
were  too  small ;  the  horses  were  disposed  of,  and  when  we 
wanted  plowing  done  this  spring,  we  got  the  same  answer. 
I  must  have  misunderstood  in  Washington  because  we 
cannot  get  the  $6,000  set  aside.  If  they  would  listen  to 
us  it  would  be  better ;  but  they  never  take  our  advice  but 
go  ahead  as  they  think  proper.  When  we  saw  we  had  no 
resources  we  asked  help  from  our  annuity.  We  are  not  at 
a  loss  to  work.  We  know  how  to  plow,  and  to  drive  and 
hoe.  If  more  confidence  was  placed  in  us  we  could  live 
better.  No  wonder  I  cannot  turn  my  face  to  our  friends 
because  our  progress  is  so  slow.  We  have  not  the  things 
to  do  with.  I  have  told  you  why  our  progress  is  so  slow, 
and  now  another  thing  I  want  to  mention.  We  wish  to 


OF    THE    CHIPPEWAS    OF    MINNESOTA.  25 

ask  if  any  wheat  raised  here  from  agricultural  fund  does 
not  belong  to  us  ?  If  so  why  should  we  take  it  to  our  credit  ? 
Our  father  went  to  buy  flour — here  is  a  sample  of  flour. 
Our  Father  bought  it  below  cost — nine  dollars — some  say 
not  nine  dollar  flour.  Have  to  pay  $30  per  barrel  for 
pork.  When  we  take  from  traders  they  sell  cheaper.  Per 
haps  Great  Father  wants  to  get  rich  sooner  than  trader. 

We  lay  no  blame,  only  state  what  is  transpiring.  We 
wish  you  to  know  exactly  how  we  are.  Generally  our 
Great  Father  sends  big  men.  They  come  up— find  condi 
tion  of  Indians.  Make  many  papers  for  benefit  of  Indians. 
Then  see  agent,  and  he  puts  pieces  of  green  paper  in 
their  eyes,  and  when  they  go  back  papers  never  come  up. 
The  flour  raised  here  was  issued  to  us  ;  our  agent  got  flour  to 
replace  it.  Whom  does  it  belong  to  ?  Little  while  after 
we  heard  that  the  timber  was  sold  we  were  keeping  for 
our  children.  I  alluded  to  our  Great  Father  stripping  us. 
When  we  heard  our  Great  Father  was  taking  the  timber 
without  asking  us  it  frightened  us  ;  we  are  frightened  yet. 
We  fear  he  wishes  us  to  be  unruly  so  as  to  send  us  off.  It 
is  worth  asking  for  if  it  is  worth  buying.  It  is  right  to 
ask  us  before  selling  anything  that  belongs  to  us.  I  never 
ceded  land  and  tried  to  take  it  back.  The  Great  Father 
always  has  asked  and  should  have  done  it  this  time.  We 
have  had  talks  with  Pillagers  to  see  if  they  have  had  talks 
about  selling  pine.  None  of  them  have  *ver  sold  the  pine. 
That  is  what  we  feared.  We  are  not  pleased  to  have  it 
sold  without  permission.  We  want  to  keep  it  as  a  fund 
for  our  young  men.  Now  we  wish  you  could  see  the  Pil 
lagers  and  hear  them  say  just  what  we  say  here  to-day. 

Should  you  ever  hear  that  the  pine  was  sold  with  the 
consent  of  the  Indians  it  was  done  in  a  corner,  and  not  in 
open  council.  Think  it  was  wrong  for  agent  to  have  dis 
posed  of  our  horses.  Have  been  trying  to  have  done  for 
us  as  you  did  for  Sioux.  If  any  encouragement  was  given 
to  those  who  work  all  would  work. 

We  know  your  time  is  precious,  that  you  are  in  a  hurry 
on  account  of  your  dinner  ;  we  are   not  anxious  having  no 
4 


26  REPORT   OF    THE   CONDITION 

dinner.  You  know  we  have  not  the  knowledge  to  read 
and  write  as  white  men.  Be  always  lenient  with  us,  be 
cause  on  account  of  our  ignorance  we  can  make  no  memor 
andums  and  are,  therefore,  liable  to  mistakes.  I  have  ask- 
ed  about  the  $25,000  from  Pembina,  and  the  $25,000  from 
Otter  Tail,  $50,000  in  all.  The  reason  I  ask  about  that 
money  is  that  when  inquiries  are  made  by  my  people  I  can 
not  explain  to  them.  When  I  have  asked  about  that  fund 
I  did  so  because  I  wanted  to  help  the  Indians  who  have 
never  known  how  much  was  left  of  it,  or  anything  about 
it.  What  troubles  us,  we  do  not  know  how  our  affairs  are 
managed,  and  cannot  make  amount  of  work  done  and  mon 
ey  meet.  We  always  feel  thankful  when  our  Great  Father 
extends  a  helping  hand  to  us,  but  we  want  to  know  how  it 
is  expended.  We  know  our  wants  better  than  strangers. 

If  all  the  work  has  been  done  with  the  $6,000,  then  the 
$25,000  is  yet  unexpended.  Perhaps  it  has  gone  back  to 
the  big  box  of  the  Great  Father.  We  have  signed  many 
vouchers  and  will  sign  no  more  until  we  know  about  the 
$25,000.  You  have  taught  us  to  come  to  business,  and 
business  is  business  ;  when  we  touch  the  pen  we  must  know 
what  it  is  for.  You  see  how  blind  we  are.  We  thought 
the  teams  were  to  be  fed  from  the  harvest.  Where  did  the 
oats  go  to  ?  About  the  $6,000,  we  know  that  it  is  a  small 
matter.  We  wish  to  say  to  you  that  we  were  glad  to  hear 
that  the  beloved  Bishop  was  to  take  charge  of  as.  We 
will  work  hard  and  strive  hard  not  to  disappoint  him  in 
any  way.  You  can  see  at  yonder  church  what  he  has 
done  for  our  spiritual  welfare,  and  what  progress  we  have 
made.  Not  satisfied  with  that  he  is  now  striving  for  our 
temporal  welfare.  Who  can  return  what  has  been  done  for 
us  by  our  beloved  Bishop?  He  has  brought  us  from  dark 
ness  to  light.  Our  faults  have  never  discouraged  him. 
When  hungry  he  has  fed  us,  and  when  in  trouble  advised 
us,  and  no  tongue  can  express  what  we  feel  for  him.  That 
in  his  being  put  over  us,  there  has  been  some  dispensation 
of  Providence,  none  can  question.  His  hand  has  always 
been  stretched  out  for  us.  May  the  Great  Spirit  long 


OF    THE    CHIPPEWAS   OF    MINNESOTA.  27 

spare  him  to  us.  You  can  see  how  he  has  helped  us. 
Though  we  were  trying  to  help  ourselves  he  was  not  satis 
fied,  but  sent  us  plows,  oxens,  cows,  hoes,  seeds  and  many 
necessary  things.  Who  but  a  father  would  have  done  all 
this?  He  built  us  a  church  and  then  a  hospital.  No  one 
knows  or  can  see  the  end,  for  his  hand  still  keeps  pushing 
us  on.  We  are  not  blind  to  what  is  done  for  us.  You  will 
visit  many  places  in  your  travels.  Notice  Leech  Lake 
where  the  kindness  of  the  Bishop  has  not  reached.  They 
have  had  many  missionaries  and  much  money,  but  nothing 
is  done  where  he  is  not.  They  all  say  that  when  the  Bish 
op's  influence  comes  among  them  they  will  be  as  we  are. 
The  power  of  that  saving  influence  has  not  reached  many 
of  them.  Let  the  government  be  lenient  until  the  same 
influence  that  has  been  with  us  has  been  with  all.  Pity 
our  needs.  Pity  our  kindred.  To  find  fault  with  us  will 
always  be  in  place  here,  for  we  have  been  tried  and  have 
been  given  opportunities.  Those  that  have  not  been 
tried  do  not  judge  too  harshly.  Pity  them  if  they  leave 
their  reservation  and  get  into  trouble.  They  cannot  sub 
sist  without  game,  and  there  is  no  game  on  their  reser 
vation;  always  bear  in  mind  that  they  have  had  no  such 
start  as  we.  We  are  all  sinking  and  dwindling  away. 
From  the  time  of  first  cession  dates  the  loss  of  our  chieftian- 
ship.  Then  wasted  from  our  hands  all  power.  We  ask 
now  for  pity,  and  aid  to  help  the  good  desired.  Can  you  ques 
tion  the  respect  we  have  for  the  Great  Father  and  the  whites? 
Do  you  know  my  idea  and  the  ideas  of  those  about  me  ? 
It  is  that  the  Great  Father  cannot  be  ignorant  of  these 
things,  and  we  expect  that  he  will  help  us  to  support  our 
children.  When  cessions  were  made  we  used  to  have  a 
consideration  given  us.  We  did  not  know  the  Master  of 
Life,  nor  the  many  customs  that  we  now  do,  but  money 
was  kept  in  trust  for  our  benefit.  In  putting  this  money 
that  was  held  in  trust,  in  the  hands  of  persons  or  agents 
to  care  for  us,  there  have  been  many  made  rich  by  collu 
sion  and  measures  of  dishonesty.  From  many  getting  rich 
on  the  mere  pittance  of  $1,500  a  year,  we  have  been  led  to 


28  REPORT    OF    THE    CONDITION 

believe  that  we  have  been  tampered  with,  and  that  un 
mercifully.  When  our  Great  Father  found  he  could  not 
obtain  proper  men  for  our  agents,  he  made  up  his  mind  to 
try  religious  societies.  You  cannot  imagine  what  feelings 
of  surprise  it  caused  us  that  after  a  clergyman  was  ap 
pointed  our  agent,  we  found  our  property  being  taken 
away  without  even  our  consent  being  asked.  When  the 
first  agent  of  a  religious  society  was  sent  to  us  we  had  an 
idea  that  something  was  wrong.  The  next  was  a  minister. 
He  found  a  great  deal  of  help  to  begin  with.  $20,000, 
from  Government.  Same  time  he  found  $ 57,000  removal 
money.  After  the  last  amount  named  they  found  a  band 
of  Indians  at  Otter  Tail  Lake  not  included  in  Treaty  who 
had  no  reservation,  and  no  means  of  living  except  by  fish 
ing.  To  make  a  home  for  them  on  this  reservation  $25,000 
was  given  us.  We  were  then  advancing  a  little  toward 
our  present  life,  and  we  thought  by  taking  some  of  our 
lands  for  the  Otter  Tails  and  receiving  a  fund  it  would  be 
for  the  greater  benefit  of  all.  But  we  wanted  a  voice  in 
the  expending  of  that  money.  Some  time  after  we  were 
asked  to  allow  the  Fembina  Indians  a  home  on  this  reser 
vation,  and  another  sum  of  $25,000  was  given.  The  first 
money  received  for  the  home  of  the  Otter  Tails  had 
taught  us  a  lesson.  No  voice  had  been  allowed  us 
in  the  expenditure  of  it,  and  we  thought  should 
ever  a  similar  case  come  around  we  would  remem 
ber  it.  That  same  $50,000  of  money  has  gone,  and  we 
cannot  tell  where  it  has  gone  to.  That  is  exactly  what  we 
want  to  know,  and  we  want  to  see  all  the  papers  in  regard 
to  it.  You  remember  the  last  agent  said  he  had  expended 
but  the  $6,000  ;  I  am  without  prejudice,  but  make  this  de 
mand  to  know  how  the  money  has  been  expended.  I 
should  be  very  much  surprised  to  hear  that  this  money 
had  gone  back  into  the  Treasury.  Then  again  this  matter 
of  the  pine  sale.  When  we  heard  our  pine  had  been  sold 
without  consulting  us,  I  cried  and  prayed  it  might  not  be 
wrested  from  us  without  our  consent.  It  is  a  great  point 
with  us.  Let  it  go  and  what  have  we  left  us  Chippewa 


OF   THE   CHIPPEWAS   OF   MINNESOTA.  29 

Indians  ?  Nothing.  The  pine  sold  is  as  much  ours  as  this 
reservation ;  that  is  why  we  should  have  been  consulted. 
When  we  came  on  this  reservation  we  were  told  by  the 
Great  Father  that  when  land  belonged  to  us  it  could  not 
be  taken  from  us  unless  we  were  willing  to  part  with  it. 
We  consider  no  bargain  valid  unless  we  have  had  a  voice 
in  the  matter ;  not  good  unless  we  have  consented. 
We  ask  you  to  see  that  this  matter  is  redressed  for  us. 
Will  you  blame  me  if  I  had  the  thought  that  a  minister 
should  be  above  fraud.  Here  stands  the  minister  of  God, 
says  he  comes  here  to  take  care  of  the  Indians.  Who  is 
his  God  ?  Is  he  a  greenback  ?  That  is  what  I  am  led  to 
believe  in  my  ignorance.  Instead  of  worshiping  God  ; 
worshiping  a  greenback.  I  know  the  man  who  has  led  us 
to  life.  When  I  look  right  I  can  see  before  me  always  the 
man  who  leads,  and  that  man  is  the  Bishop.  He  leads  us 
to  life.  He  has  done  all  we  think. 

As  for  myself,  as  I  look  through  that*  window,  I  see  those 
white  clouds ;  I  am  named  White  Cloud,  and  I  pray  God  to 
keep  my  heart  as  white  as  those  clouds  to  help  those 
under  me. 

I  pray  that  never  may  any  temptation  take  me  from  the 
duty  I  owe  my  tribe  and  all  men. 


M 


Vt* 


FOURTEEN  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

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, 

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